Really enjoyable.

A lot of the comments seem to treat this film as a baseball movie, but I
feel this is only secondary. It's really about living in Japan, and it
really succeeds.

I spent a few years living in Japan, and I suppose the reason that this
movie didn't do too well is that you sort of have to have experienced Japan
to get it. I was watching this with a well-travelled friend who's never
been to Japan, and he noted that many of the events in the movie were so
ludicrous that they destroyed the suspension of disbelief. My reply was
that those events were the absolute unvarnished truth about life in
Japan!

I think that this movie is definitely worth watching, especially if you've
lived in Japan or are interested in it.

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17 out of 18 people found the following review useful:

This film is a grand slam

Tom Selleck has been for most of his career a box office bust. Even
though this movie did not score a home run with movie goers, it is
still a nicely done film. It doesn't play down Japanese stereotypes, as
the writers of this film did their homework on life in Japan. I used to
watch Japanese baseball, and I can tell you that the film does a pretty
good interpretation. In Japan, the manager of a ball club is more of a
nurturing father. It's also more like work than sport. Players run
fundamental drills all day and talent takes a backseat to skill. The
movie is nicely done and Selleck does a good job as selfish,
self-centered Jack Elliot. Dennis Haysbert is also nice in the
supporting role of Max DuBois (He had enough practice being in baseball
movies after being in Major League). Ken Takakura is good as the
no-nonsense manager of the club. It's a shame he hasn't done any other
American films after this one. Aya Takanashi is also nice as Jack's
love interest. If you can, get the video or DVD because the TV version
makes some of the most absurd edits and cuts I have seen.

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18 out of 22 people found the following review useful:

Actually, a very very good film.

I lived in Japan at around the period in which this film is set, and I must
say--this film does an OUTSTANDING job of capturing the "feel" of what Japan
was like. Unfortunately, the accuracy of this is not appreciated by most
viewers. Whoever chose the shots and locations really understood Japan
well.

The movie itself should rate among the best baseball movies EVER, but
doesn't because it's not about American baseball. Take "field of dreams" or
whatever. That basically boils down to some plot contrivance about ghosts
and whatnot and is only REALLY about the game at a very superficial level
(despite pretentions otherwise). This one has an intelligent and realistic
view of many aspects of the game--clubhouse behavior, on-field action,
player-manager interactions, the business of sports, and so on. If you're
into baseball movies, view this one--and if you don't like it, I challenge
you to find ONE other baseball movie that does as well as capturing so many
aspects of the game intelligently with a minimum of sap.

Characterizations in this movie: yes, we all know that by the end of the
movie the Tom Selleck character will do something to redeem himself. In
this regard, except for one interesting plot nuance (not really a twist),
the plot itself is straightforward. But the characters all stand on their
own--I dont think there is a single bad characterization there with the
possible over-stereotyped American agent. From Yoji the interpreter through
the teammates who are Japanese jocks to the strong female love interest..
well.. let's put it this way.. if you still think all Japanese look and act
alike, see this movie.

Clearly this isn't the best movie ever made, but I really like it on a lot
of levels enough that on a scale of one to ten, I honestly have to give it a
10 (and I rate a lot of movies poorly). You probably won't like it quite
that much, but I think you will enjoy it--whether you are male OR female, by
the way. Definately a good rent.

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8 out of 9 people found the following review useful:

Heartwarming drama hiding within sports comedy "lite"

MR. BASEBALL is a film of paradoxes. Written and filmed as a "light, sports
comedy" it truly has a heartwarming core as human and universal as some of
Capra's finest. At the plot level, you have the paradox of baseball, a fine
old American game, as it is played in Japan - turned around, with American
values cast off and Japanese values imprinted upon the game. (Some of the
superficial "sports comedy" results from Jack's uncomprehending disbelief at
how "basa-boru" is played in Japan.) You also have a lead character who's
presented as an over-the-hill, aging baseball star, but who is actually
quite immature - pro ball allowed him to postpone growing up. And you have a
lead character who is rudely resistant to the changes in his life that are
being forced upon him, refusing to accept the curveball that life has given
him, in the midst of a new country, a new manager, a new team, and a new
girlfriend, who have all welcomed him and try to accept him. Sound like
heavy stuff? Not really. It's a charming "clash of cultures" comedy that
takes place on the national, sports, romantic, and professional levels. But
if you watch it sensitively enough, you will also find a great story about a
man who has to abandon his immaturity and grow up way too late in life
(causing some amount of personal pain), and finds success in places he never
expected it. I love the story, but I also have great respect for Selleck's
performance; he bares his tush (literally) to portray an ugly American,
insulting people and throwing tantrums in public, then lets us inside this
character to understand his dismay. It also doesn't hurt if you're a big fan
of Takakura Ken like I am. MR. BASEBALL is a surprising "loss of innocence"
tale.

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8 out of 10 people found the following review useful:

I liked this movie

I liked this movie, not because Tom Selleck was in it, but because it
was a good story about baseball and it also had a semi-over dramatized
view of some of the issues that a BASEBALL player coming to the end of
their time in Major League sports must face. I also greatly enjoyed the
cultural differences in American and Japanese baseball and the small
facts on how the games are played differently.

Overall, it is a good movie to watch on Cable TV or rent on a cold
winter's night and watch about the "Dog Day's" of summer and know that
spring training is only a few months away. A good movie for a baseball
fan as well as a good "DATE" movie Trust me on that one! *Wink*

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9 out of 12 people found the following review useful:

Just like being there

You have to have lived in Japan for awhile to enjoy the beauty of this
movie! I lived on Okinawa for over 2 years, and northern Honshu for 4.
Believe it or not, what you see paints a very good and accurate picture
of
contrasting east/west mentalities, both from a sports as well as personal
relationships perspective. A funny, funny, and heartwarming movie that
deserves better than Americans viewing it can ever judge. 8+ out of
10!

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6 out of 7 people found the following review useful:

Great movie

I agree with BigAlC - this movie actually prepared me for a lot of the
cultural differences and practices before I went to live in Japan for a
year in 1993. Tom Selleck does a fantastic job here, as always, and the
movie is greatly humorous and educational. I'm a big fan of Tom
Selleck's, and he blesses this part with his usual charm and charisma
to this part, bringing the film to life in a way I can't imagine any
other actor being able to pull off.

This film featured some first-rate Japanese actors, and it was highly
entertaining to watch them as they interacted with Selleck - I can
imagine the fun he had during the actual filming of the movie - Japan's
an awesome place to go, whether you want to party, sight-see or just
try to take everything in.

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5 out of 6 people found the following review useful:

A slugger can hit anywhere.

Even if you are not a baseball fan, you will enjoy MR. BASEBALL. An aging
Major League home run slugger Jack Elliot(Tom Selleck)is traded to the
Dragons, a favorite ball team in Japan. American ballplayers are treated
like rock 'n' roll stars in Japan and Jack is no exception. The American
slugger has trouble fitting into the eastern society and thanks to his
interpreter(Kosuke Toyohara)he doesn't completely alienate himself. Another
American player "Hammer" Dubois(Dennis Haysbert)tries to help big Jack fit
in, but of course the Dragon's new home run hitter is pretty hard headed.

Elliot finds himself in his coach's(Ken Takakura)doghouse more often than
not. The team finds him easy to dislike. Unknowingly he finds romance with
the coach's daughter(Aya Takanashi)and that is just part of the humor found
in this likable and short of heartwarming movie. Most of the humor comes
from Jack's interpreter. Selleck fits the role pretty well. Ted Danson would
have been another good choice for the role, but Selleck provides enough
arrogance to carry it off. Not a total waste of time, but there is doubts
about a double header. Twice is enough for me.

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4 out of 5 people found the following review useful:

So funny I am still laughing

I agree with the guy above, It is so funny I understand it all, but my
friends just don't get it. Go to Japan and you will see a different
movie after being there. When I met my girlfriends dad, at his home in
Kanagawa. I swear I felt the same as Jack,. scared, but by the end of
the day it was all good, so I give this movie a 10 out 10.

I have watched it at least 30 times, taking it with me to watch on the
plane flying to Japan next month. One thing that is real good is the
ball game scenes. Makes me feel like I am there again. This is a must
see if you have any interest in Japan and Baseball. Too bad they don't
make a sequel. Does anyone know where the temple scenes were filmed and
the argument with hirko in the walkway with a roof on it???? need to
know so I can win an argumrnt with me Japanese ex-wife. thanks

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5 out of 7 people found the following review useful:

A pretty good baseball movie

If you like baseball, you'll dig this movie. It's kinda cheesy and it's not
exactly Oscar-worthy, but Tom Selleck is pretty convincing as a struggling
major leaguer who is traded to a Japanese team. If you've seen all the new
releases (except Thin Red Line, which you should avoid like the plague) and
you're looking for something light-hearted and entertaining, this movie is
a
safe bet. Enjoy.. and GO DODGERS!!! (yes they're struggling now, but i can
feel a comeback)